Manuella Blackburn
Manuella Blackburn gained a Distinction for a Master’s degree in electroacoustic music at the University of Manchester in 2006, and was awarded the Peter J Leonard Composition Prize. She began a PhD at the University of Manchester, September 2006, studying under David Berezan's supervision recently being awarded support from the AHRC.
Recent successes include Honorary Mention in the VII CIMESP (Concurso Internacional de Musica Eletroacustica de Sao Paulo 2007 for her work Kitchen Alchemy, and First Prize for her acousmatic work, Causal Impacts, in the 7th Musica Viva Electroacoustic Competition 2006 in Portugal. Her work has also been selected in the 2006 Bourges International Electroacoustic Music and Sonic Arts Competition and the Concurso Internacional de Composicai eletroacoustica (CEMJKO), Brazil, where she was awarded the Public Prize for her work multi-channel work Sonidos Bailables (Sounds to dance to). This summer Manuella was associate artist in residence studying with Denis Smalley at the Atlantic Centre for the Arts, Florida.
Research Interests
(Current)
- Development of new compositional methodologies based on the descriptive vocabulary presented in Denis Smalley’s Spectromorphology.
- Hybridisation of spectromorphological language with research into Latin American-influenced electroacoustic music.
- The use and implications of incorporating world music into acousmatic works.
- The contextual transition of visual shapes and space from language to music.
(Future works)
- Piano and live electronics piece in collaboration with Camden Reeves.
- Acousmatic work involving the Peruvian Cajon percussion instrument and aspects of Rumba.
Email: Manuella.Blackburn@student.manchester.ac.uk
List of recent compositions:
- Origami (Work-in-progress) acousmatic miniatures.
- Kitchen Alchemy (2007) Acousmatic stereo work. 11’34
- Sonidos Bailables (2006) 4 acousmatic miniatures, 5.1 surround sound. 10’59
- Cummings & goings (2006) Acousmatic text-based work. 13' 00
- In Response… for bass flute and live electronics (2006)
- Electroacoustic score for the silent film, Le Voyage dans la lune (A Trip to the Moon) by Georges Méliès, (2006), 8’30
- Causal Impacts (2006) Acousmatic stereo piece, 7’00
- Bathroom etude (2006) Acousmatic miniature,’ 3’30
- Electroacoustic ‘sonic environment’ for Kairos instrumental ensemble (2005). Performed at the Sonic Arts Network Expo 2006:
- Midi Wind Trigger (2005), for Bb clarinet, midi wind controller and segmented tape using Max MSP, 6’40
- Etude for violin and harp (2004-05), using live electronics and Max MSP programming environment, 5’10.
Other publications:
- Sonidos Bailables – Computer Music Journal – Far and Wide DVD publication, released with Volume 31, Issue 4.
- Causal Impacts released on Miso Records, April 13th 2007.
- Causal Impacts published on the ‘Pueblo Nuevo’ Chilean net label.
- Sonidos Bailables – CEMJKO
Personal page: www.manuella.co.uk (coming soon)
